North Berwick

North Berwick, famously known as "The Biarritz of the North", has more recently been described as "Scotland's Riviera" in a recent Sunday Times article on places to visit in the UK. It has so much to offer tourists of the area, not least its magical sandy beaches, rocky coastline with picturesque islands close to the shore and of course the pretty, thriving town of North Berwick itself.

The Town

East Lothian is reputedly the driest, sunniest part of the U.K. and the many sandy beaches and rocky coves provide a wonderful natural playground for children and adults alike. Little wonder that visitors are attracted to this charming, coastal holiday resort with its pleasant situation and scenery, yet just half an hour by car or train from Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh.

North Berwick itself offers a good variety of shops, bistros, coffee bars & restaurants. There are many interesting walks around the town, including North Berwick Law, a small hill, 612ft. high, with magnificent views over East Lothian, the Firth of Forth, Fife and beyond.

The Harbour Area

At the busy picturesque harbour with its yachts and fishing boats, a new attraction is the recently opened Scottish Seabird Centre which is of international significance. Here you can watch puffins and gannets close up using the latest interactive technology.

Awards

In September 2003 the town was awarded the top accolade in the prestigious Coastal Scottish Town In Bloom Award - locals really do take pride in presenting the town to its visitors as being "the best" Scotland has to offer! A decrease in marine pollution has seen the North Berwick coastline awarded three of the top six beaches in Scotland this year.

Pursuits & Past-times

Golf is the main leisure pursuit with 8 championship courses within 5 miles, however, bird watching, sailing, diving, cycling, archery and even karting are also to be enjoyed in this beautiful setting. There are ample opportunities for hill walking, sea or river angling, as well as the many well preserved castles to visit for those with historic interests.

There is a Sports Centre with swimming pool, squash courts and games hall as well as municipal tennis courts where the East Lothian Open Tennis Tournament is held annually (and becoming evermore popular). The newly refurbished East Lothian Yacht Club is the venue for many national and international dingy regattas and can attract as many as 250 competitors to any one event.

History

King Robert II of Scotland recognized the importance of North Berwick as a town when he made it a Royal Burgh in 1373. Many other Kings and Queens have also enjoyed visiting the town, including Charles I, who tried, unsuccessfully to buy the Bass Rock! With its towering cliffs and spectacular Gannet colony, the Bass is one of the world's most famous bird islands.

The famous castles of Dirleton and Tantallon - a favourite site for many film crews - both lie within 3 miles of the town.

Indeed there is something in North Berwick for the whole family to enjoy with many visitors returning year after year, so why don't you book your holiday now to this idyllic town on Scotland's beautiful south-east coast.